JOEY BARTON has revealed he is prepared to play “anywhere” for Newcastle as the Magpies head into the final straight looking to seal their top-flight place.

The Scouser is delighted United are close to achieving the primary target of survival.

While nobody at the club’s Benton base is getting ahead of themselves, despite the outside possibility of being involved in the shake-up for Europa League slots, midfielder Barton is glad to be enjoying his football again.

United had struggled when it came to finding a supply line for their forwards, but Barton has answered that issue in a wide right position.

The central midfield ace admitted he was concerned he might end up being pigeon- holed as a right midfielder when first asked to play there by ex-manager Chris Hughton.

He said: “That was my greatest worry when Chrissy told me I was going to play there against West Ham – how long will I stay here?

“It is then almost a case of if you go there and play too well everyone will see you as a right-sided midfielder.

“I am just happy to be fit and playing and being able to showcase my talent at a big club like this. I would play left-back, right-back or in goal if I could.”

Barton has chipped in with six assists and four goals this season, but has had a hand in many other of the 42 Premier League goals netted by the black-and-whites.

When asked if he would revel in a chance to play in the middle, Barton said that game-by-game tactics had to be the priority.

He continued: “I am just happy to play in the side, and I feel, at the minute, it is the best formation for us to play as a team.

“There will be certain games when the gaffer might feel it would be better for me to play in the middle.

“At Spurs, he felt it was better for me to play off the front man.

“As I say, I am just happy being fit and well, and I am enjoying my football for the first time in a long time. Long may it continue.”

Barton has enjoyed a solid partnership with Danny Simpson down the right-hand side this season.

However, the opposite flank has worked in a different way to the regular left-wing combination of Jonas Guitierrez and Jose Enrique.

Barton added: “I always have a laugh at the lads when they give me stick about playing on the right. My motto is good players can play anywhere.

“It might not be the traditional or modern way of playing there, but you sort of adjust it to how you see best.

“I have tried to play to the team’s strengths. We have players who are good in the air and make good runs, and Kevin Nolan can get up from midfield.

“On the left side of the pitch we tend to dribble a bit more, but Simmo and I on the right are a bit more direct.